Free Postnatal Care and Breastfeeding MCQs with Answers
50 Postnatal Care and Breastfeeding MCQs from Midwifery and Obstetric Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Maternal postnatal care assesses uterine involution, lochia, perineal healing, bladder and bowel function, vital signs, emotional wellbeing and signs of puerperal infection or haemorrhage. Breastfeeding covers colostrum, milk production, positioning and attachment, feeding frequency, common difficulties and the distinction between normal breast changes and mastitis.
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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. Restricting fluids until bowel function returns
- B. Encouraging fluids, fibre and early mobilisation
- C. Using a low-fibre diet for the first postnatal week
- D. Delaying toileting until bowel discomfort disappears
Explanation: Adequate fluids, fibre and mobilisation support normal bowel function and reduce straining.
Correct answer: Encouraging fluids, fibre and early mobilisation- A. Offer a warm drink and allow her to rest
- B. Assess her airway, breathing and circulation immediately
- C. Encourage her to walk to improve uterine drainage
- D. Teach routine perineal hygiene before further assessment
Explanation: Faintness with fever and tachycardia may indicate serious infection, sepsis or circulatory compromise.
Correct answer: Assess her airway, breathing and circulation immediately- A. Wash the nipples with soap after every feed
- B. Apply a small amount of expressed breast milk and allow it to air dry
- C. Clean the nipples with antiseptic before every feed
- D. Keep the nipples covered with tight breast pads continuously
Explanation: A small amount of expressed breast milk can be spread over the nipple and allowed to dry, helping maintain healthy skin.
Correct answer: Apply a small amount of expressed breast milk and allow it to air dry- A. The newborn's head is turned away from the breast
- B. The newborn's body is straight and facing the mother
- C. The newborn lies flat with only the neck supported
- D. The newborn's chin is held away from the breast
Explanation: The newborn's head and body should be in a straight line and facing the breast, with the nose opposite the nipple.
Correct answer: The newborn's body is straight and facing the mother- A. Start formula after every breastfeeding session
- B. Explain that frequent feeding supports increasing milk production
- C. Limit feeds to protect the nipples from stimulation
- D. Give water between feeds until mature milk appears
Explanation: Frequent effective breastfeeding stimulates prolactin and milk production, while mature milk commonly increases over the next few days.
Correct answer: Explain that frequent feeding supports increasing milk production- A. Stop breastfeeding from both breasts for several days
- B. Check and correct the newborn's attachment
- C. Apply strong antiseptic directly after every feed
- D. Reduce feeding frequency to prevent further injury
Explanation: Poor attachment is a common cause of nipple trauma, so correcting positioning and attachment addresses the cause while breastfeeding…
Correct answer: Check and correct the newborn's attachment- A. I should seek help if breast pain is accompanied by fever or worsening redness
- B. I should stop all feeding whenever either breast feels full
- C. I should ignore breast pain if milk continues to flow
- D. I should apply firm pressure to any lump until it disappears
Explanation: Fever, worsening redness, severe pain or systemic illness may indicate mastitis and requires assessment.
Correct answer: I should seek help if breast pain is accompanied by fever or worsening redness- A. Ask only whether the woman has resumed sexual intercourse
- B. Assess mood, sleep, support, contraception and breastfeeding concerns
- C. Advise every woman to begin vigorous exercise immediately
- D. Confirm that emotional changes are always a normal part of motherhood
Explanation: A comprehensive postnatal review includes physical recovery, emotional wellbeing, social support, feeding, sleep and reproductive…
Correct answer: Assess mood, sleep, support, contraception and breastfeeding concerns- A. Leave her alone to reduce stimulation
- B. Arrange immediate psychiatric and safety assessment
- C. Reassure her that this is normal baby blues
- D. Encourage her to sleep and review her tomorrow
Explanation: Confusion, hallucinations and possible harm indicate postpartum psychosis, which is a psychiatric emergency.
Correct answer: Arrange immediate psychiatric and safety assessment- A. Give anti-D immunoglobulin within the recommended postnatal period
- B. Give oral iron for three months instead of anti-D
- C. Delay anti-D until the newborn develops jaundice
- D. Give routine antibiotics to prevent Rh sensitisation
Explanation: Anti-D immunoglobulin prevents formation of maternal antibodies against Rh-positive fetal red cells and is given after delivery within the…
Correct answer: Give anti-D immunoglobulin within the recommended postnatal period- A. Give the rubella vaccine and explain follow-up advice
- B. Give the vaccine only after the next pregnancy
- C. Avoid vaccination because it causes congenital rubella
- D. Give antibiotics until rubella antibodies develop
Explanation: A non-immune woman should be offered rubella vaccination in the postnatal period because the live vaccine is not given during pregnancy.
Correct answer: Give the rubella vaccine and explain follow-up advice- A. Restrict fluids until the leakage stops
- B. Perform regular pelvic floor muscle exercises
- C. Remain on bed rest until bladder control returns
- D. Insert an indwelling catheter for several weeks
Explanation: Stress urinary leakage may occur because pregnancy and birth weaken the pelvic floor.
Correct answer: Perform regular pelvic floor muscle exercises- A. Mild discomfort when changing position
- B. A dry incision with closely approximated edges
- C. Increasing redness with purulent wound drainage
- D. Mild itching as the incision begins to heal
Explanation: Increasing redness and purulent drainage suggest local infection and require prompt assessment and treatment.
Correct answer: Increasing redness with purulent wound drainage- A. Prolactin
- B. Oxytocin
- C. Oestrogen
- D. Progesterone
Explanation: Oxytocin contracts the myoepithelial cells around the alveoli and causes milk ejection, also called let-down.
Correct answer: Oxytocin- A. The first two months of life
- B. The first four months of life
- C. The first six months of life
- D. The first twelve months of life
Explanation: WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, with no other foods or fluids routinely given to a healthy infant.
Correct answer: The first six months of life- A. Rooting and bringing the hands toward the mouth
- B. Sleeping deeply with no response to touch
- C. Crying continuously after becoming exhausted
- D. Turning blue around the lips during a feed
Explanation: Rooting, hand-to-mouth movements and increased alertness are early hunger cues, so the mother can offer the breast before crying begins.
Correct answer: Rooting and bringing the hands toward the mouth- A. Ibuprofen
- B. Aspirin in repeated high doses
- C. Methotrexate
- D. Isotretinoin
Explanation: Ibuprofen has very low transfer into breast milk and is commonly used during breastfeeding when clinically appropriate.
Correct answer: Ibuprofen- A. Express milk only when the breasts become painfully full
- B. Express or breastfeed at intervals similar to the infant's usual feeds
- C. Stop expressing until direct breastfeeding becomes possible
- D. Drink extra tea instead of expressing milk regularly
Explanation: Regular milk removal maintains breast stimulation and helps preserve milk production during separation.
Correct answer: Express or breastfeed at intervals similar to the infant's usual feeds- A. The uterus contracts as oxytocin is released during feeding
- B. The cervix opens again because milk enters the uterus
- C. The bladder becomes overactive because prolactin rises
- D. The pelvic infection causes pain whenever feeding begins
Explanation: Breastfeeding stimulates oxytocin release, which causes uterine contractions and normal afterpains as involution occurs.
Correct answer: The uterus contracts as oxytocin is released during feeding- A. Position her upright and call for emergency help
- B. Encourage oral fluids and reassess her after 30 minutes
- C. Assist her to walk slowly to improve circulation
- D. Offer a warm drink and provide reassurance first
Explanation: Sudden breathlessness and chest pain may indicate pulmonary embolism, so breathing takes priority and emergency assistance is required.
Correct answer: Position her upright and call for emergency help